The Gyalwang Drukpa

Recently, I was reminded of a Code of Conduct that I wrote at Drubpon Ngawang's request in 2000 and I am very happy that I am able to share with you over here. I think it is very good idea if every centre and the members and friends read through it very clearly. First of all, you have to bear in mind that this Code of Conduct is not a standard for you to use to judge others, this is for your own practice and for checking yourself. You need to constantly check if you have violated any of them. Secondly, whether you are a sponsor, a practitioner or a volunteer, whether you have contributed a lot of time or a lot of money, keeping harmony within a Sangha community, or even within your own family or company, or even among your friends, is very important.

We have all come to engage ourselves in spiritual practice because we want to be better and happier persons, more likable persons and more lovable persons. Some of my friends and students tell me very honestly that "I am who I am, people have to accept me for who I am." I can fully understand this kind of attitude. I cannot say this is correct or wrong, everyone has the freedom to choose the way they want to live their life, and the way they treat others. But the key is you need to check yourself, whether you have become a better person after becoming a spiritual practitioner. Say for example, after following a master, have you put his advices into practice? Even if you don't get along with some of the Sangha members, have you been able to put aside your criticisms which are mostly provoked and misled by your own ego? Have you tried to appreciate whatever they have contributed, no matter whether it is very small or large contribution? Have you been a kinder person?

After reading the Code of Conduct again, I feel very proud of myself for being able to write something like this more than 8 years ago. But I was also laughing to myself, "How many of my friends and students have seriously, successfully and diligently followed this Code of Conduct? How many of them have followed it happily and willingly? Instead, how many have been using this as a way or as an excuse to judge others?"

One of the most simple teachings of the Buddha is "kind speech". Words can really kill a person and can burn your merit. If you hear negative comments about others, you should not believe blindly, at least you should tell yourself that every person has a positive and negative aspect, just like yourself. Just as you would not like others to misjudge you, you should not misjudge others. Karma has eyes, it follows you everywhere, there is no way to avoid it. Those who bring pain and unhappiness to others will never be happy themselves. Spiritual teachers like us go around telling you guys what should be improved and what should be thrown out, but it's your choice to decide whether you want to listen or not, whether you want to follow or not. As I recently said, not only external environment needs to be cleaned up, your inner environment which is your mind and your secret environment which is the samaya definitely need to be cleaned up very urgently and very nicely. I am very happy to say that almost all of my friends and students wish to be better and happier humans, so I am looking forward to see big steps of improvement. I am very certain that everyone will try their best to improve and everything will get better! I appreciate all of you who follow my gossips and practise them without any doubt and complaints (I hope not, ha ha!).

Before I forget, I want to share with you that I am presently designing T-Shirts for all the Centres and Live to Love. The ones for winter will be something interesting, and the ones for summer will be something also quite nice. In fact, I was quite surprised to see different Live to Love T-Shirts and different Centre T-Shirts. This will be informed to all the different centres very soon.

So the Code of Conduct that I have written is here as follows, I have strong confidence that all of my friends and students will follow this very nicely, this should be highlighted and reminded everytime we have time, especially before any group gathering:

01Giving up harming others and harmful thoughts, which lead to harmful actions, is the practice of the Shravakas and Pratyekas. This is the foundation of all vehicles or yanas.

02Always learning to help others and keeping the practice of precious Bodhicitta as the main practice is the general path of the Mahayana. This is essential to make any practice of the Dharma successful and dispel the delusions on the path. It is vital that all the men and women, young and old, who claim to be practising the Dharma, inspired by mindfulness, practise these two and not be distracted by meaningless, selfish samsaric activities. It is important to practise the meaningful ultimate path with pure motivation and action.